Chapter 392 - 392: Maya Hamilton.

Maya had been fourteen when the Hamiltons brought her home.

Not rich, not poor but comfortable in the way that meant groceries without checking prices, the occasional holiday abroad, and a garden big enough for a dog. They were two English people who had wanted a child and, for reasons neither fully explained, ended up with an Italian girl who barely spoke English and flinched at loud noises.

They named her Maya because she couldn't remember her real name.

Or rather—she could remember having one. A name that tasted like home. But the memory was smoke and impossible to hold.

"Maya! Breakfast!"

Her mother's voice carried up the stairs. Susan Hamilton. Fifty-two. Warm smile, flour always on her hands.

Maya closed her book and headed down.

The kitchen smelled like eggs and toast. Her father, David, sat at the table with the newspaper, his glasses sliding down his nose.

"Morning," he said without looking up.

"Morning."

Maya sat down. Poured herself orange juice. The routine was automatic as her mother prioritized her health above all.

She never asked them about her life before. Not because she wasn't curious—but because some part of her understood that family wasn't about blood. It was almost like instinct, built into her bones. She had no idea why she felt this way. She just knew.

Maybe she came from somewhere that blood meant nothing. Or meant too much.

Of course she did, she was the daughter of Marcello.

Either way, she never asked.

The doorbell rang, interrupting their breakfast.

Susan wiped her hands on a towel. "Are you expecting someone?"

"Leo," Maya said flatly.

Her mother smiled. "He's a nice boy."

"He's annoying."

"He's persistent." Her mother fired back.

Maya stabbed a piece of toast.

Leo let himself in—because that was the kind of friend he was. Tall, lanky, perpetually hopeful. His hair flopped over his forehead as he dropped into the chair across from her.

"Maya," he said, grinning.

"Leo." Maya responded like an annoyed older sister.

"I brought you coffee. From that place you like."

He slid a cup toward her. Maya looked at it the looked at him.

"What do you want?" Maya asked.

"Can't a guy bring his best friend coffee?"

"No." Maya responded.

Leo laughed. David lowered his newspaper, peeking over the top. Susan busied herself at the counter, pretending not to listen.

This was a painful interaction but David was proud of his daughter because this told him not just anyone would be able to close to her but ironically, this was also why he worried.

"School's not even in session," Maya said. "Why are you here?"

"To see you." Leo responded right away, unfazed by her antics.

"I'm eating." Maya said.

"I'll wait." Leo responded.

Maya sighed. She loved him—as a friend. That was all. Leo had tried to shoot his shot twice now. Twice she had turned him down. Not cruelly, just clearly.

But he seemed to think she would change her mind the longer he showed up for her.

She didn't mind his kind gestures until she found out it had an ulterior motive.

"I'm not interested. Not in you. Not in anyone right now. Why can't you get the hint..." Maya thought to herself.

She didn't know why. Maybe it was the missing chunk of her life. Maybe it was something deeper. Something that told her romance was a luxury she couldn't afford but her heart just never felt whole.

Leo leaned forward. "There's a movie. Tonight. I thought—"

"No." Maya didn't even hesitate.

"I didn't even say what movie."

"It's still no."

David's face suddenly collapsed inward, nose crinkled, as he fought a losing battle against the laws of human composure. His eyes reduced to tight, knowing slits, and his mouth flattened into a razor-thin, trembling line of feigned innocence. He was the physical embodiment of a pressure cooker, his cheeks puffed and vibrating as he bottled up a universe of chaotic laughter behind locked lips. He hid all of this behind his newspaper.

Susan hid a smile behind her coffee mug. David cleared his throat soon after upon realizing he was the adult here.

"Leave the girl alone, Leo," he said. "She's got her studies."

"Always studying," Leo muttered.

Maya ignored him. She finished her toast, drained her juice, and stood up without touching the coffee he had brought her.

"I'm going back to the library."

"The library isn't even open," Leo said.

"I have a key."

She grabbed her bag. At the door, she paused. Looked back at her parents. Susan was washing dishes, David had returned to his newspaper. Leo was watching her with those sad, hopeful eyes.

"They're not my blood. But they're my family."

Maya thought to herself and she was truly grateful for them.

She didn't know why she felt that so deeply. She just did.

"Thanks for breakfast, Mum."

Susan smiled. "Study hard, love."

Leo scrambled to his feet. "I'll walk with you."

"No, you won't." Maya shut him down right away as she tried to shut the door before he could reach her.

"I'll walk behind you."

Maya walked out the door. Leo followed at a safe distance. She didn't turn around.

Somewhere, in the back of her mind, a name echoed.

"Angelica." It was strange, she had dreams about this name being called but she also had unrelated dreams calling her different names including a anorexic cunt from a TV series she had watched so it all blended together.

However, there was something familiar about this specific name that made her very very uneasy.

She didn't remember who that was. But she knew—somehow—she didn't want to either.

Maya was who she was and Maya intended to keep it that way.

Leo walked behind her with a smile, he was a good man in all honesty and there was nothing wrong with his intentions either as he genuinely liked Maya.

But being younger than Maya already put him at a massive disadvantage.

However, Leo believed in persistence.